When there's crying in commercial aviation, that's when you know you're screwed.
Today was a hell of a day.
We reported in Chicago yesterday at 2:05 pm. Everything looked to be normal, and was, when the captain called us to let us know that we were getting re-routing information due to some storms between us and Atlanta. This happens all the time, especially in the summer when the weather is particularly volatile.
Two and a half hours later, when we should have been in Atlanta, they called us again. We had run out of fuel (rather, we were at the minimum amount that the FAA allows us to fly with) and could no longer remain in the holding pattern above Atlanta. Instead, we diverted to Knoxville, TN. At first it looked like we were simply going to refuel and take back off for the short hop to Atlanta. No luck. As soon as we got out to the runway, they closed the Atlanta airport again. This time we returned to the gate and deplaned. We had three unaccompanied minors, so the three of us flight attendants took turns watching them.
By the time we got cleared to Atlanta, we were already three hours behind our originally scheduled arrival into Atlanta. You never would have guessed it from the attitudes of every single person on board that aircraft. While boarding, everyone greeted us with a slightly wry, "Back again!" Once everyone was settled, it sounded like a party in the back. Everyone was talking and laughing, and no one even so much as raised their voice at the crew or ground staff.
Even though we had already had a 7-hour duty day, we weren't done, though. Our there-and-back Ft. Lauderdale flight still had to be worked. The folks on board weren't quite as jovial as our Chicago passengers, but thankfully it went smoothly enough. The worst part came when I made a cup of Ramen, and in the process dropped my fork on the floor. Instead of reacting like a normal person, I nearly burst into tears in the galley.
When you're crying over forks, it's time to go to bed.
I finally got home around 3:45 AM. And now I pass out AND THEN GET UP AND GO SEE EMPIRES IN ATHENS OMG OMG HOORAY!
We reported in Chicago yesterday at 2:05 pm. Everything looked to be normal, and was, when the captain called us to let us know that we were getting re-routing information due to some storms between us and Atlanta. This happens all the time, especially in the summer when the weather is particularly volatile.
Two and a half hours later, when we should have been in Atlanta, they called us again. We had run out of fuel (rather, we were at the minimum amount that the FAA allows us to fly with) and could no longer remain in the holding pattern above Atlanta. Instead, we diverted to Knoxville, TN. At first it looked like we were simply going to refuel and take back off for the short hop to Atlanta. No luck. As soon as we got out to the runway, they closed the Atlanta airport again. This time we returned to the gate and deplaned. We had three unaccompanied minors, so the three of us flight attendants took turns watching them.
By the time we got cleared to Atlanta, we were already three hours behind our originally scheduled arrival into Atlanta. You never would have guessed it from the attitudes of every single person on board that aircraft. While boarding, everyone greeted us with a slightly wry, "Back again!" Once everyone was settled, it sounded like a party in the back. Everyone was talking and laughing, and no one even so much as raised their voice at the crew or ground staff.
Even though we had already had a 7-hour duty day, we weren't done, though. Our there-and-back Ft. Lauderdale flight still had to be worked. The folks on board weren't quite as jovial as our Chicago passengers, but thankfully it went smoothly enough. The worst part came when I made a cup of Ramen, and in the process dropped my fork on the floor. Instead of reacting like a normal person, I nearly burst into tears in the galley.
When you're crying over forks, it's time to go to bed.
I finally got home around 3:45 AM. And now I pass out AND THEN GET UP AND GO SEE EMPIRES IN ATHENS OMG OMG HOORAY!